How do you really know it’s fall in the mountains? Some people might say the cooler days + changing leaves, but we like to think it’s a tad earlier when the N.C. Mountain State Fair rolls into town, setting up for just a little over a week of rides, agriculture competitions, and alll the funnel cake, lemonade, candy apples, cotton candy + corn dogs we can eat. The Mountain State Fair opens their gates today at the WNC Ag Center at 9 a.m., and the celebration continues through next Sunday, Sept. 16.

Whether it’s your first Mountain State Fair or you’ve been going since it started, we have all the fun facts, tips, and history you’ll ever need to have the best time yet at the fair. First, a bit of history –

This is the fair’s 25th anniversary. It was started by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and drew 45,000 people during its initial 5-day run.
In 1997, the fair broke its previous attendance record with 100,000 people visiting the fair. Now, attendance is closer to 200,000.
In 2002, the fair ranked in as the third largest in the state (after the N.C. State Fair in Raleigh and the Dixie Classic Fair in Winston-Salem).

How to fair like a pro

First, all the details you’ll need to enjoy the day (or night).

🗓 Where: The WNC Ag Center (765 Boylston Hwy, Fletcher)

⏰ When: Friday, Sept. 7–Sunday, Sept. 16

Rides open at 10 a.m. on weekends + 4 p.m. on weekdays
Hours: Fri. – Sun.: 9 a.m. to 11p.m.–1 a.m.

Monday–Thursday: 3–11 p.m.

The schedule varies slights; see specific days here (the final Sunday of the fair ends at 9 p.m., for example).

💸Tickets: Are $9 for adults + $5 for kids and seniors. Children 5 and under get in free. (free for children 5 and under). A sheet of 21 ride tickets cost $12 in advance or $20 at the gate. Scoop advance tickets at the Ag Center, the WNC Farmers Market (570 Brevard Rd.) or select Ingle’s stores.

Protip: Check out the ticket specials running on multiple days here. Our pick? Friday night frenzy (both Fridays of the fair) – when your admission price and unlimited rides are a flat $28. Friday, Sept. 7 is also Student Day, and area students K-12 get in free until 6 p.m.
Also, the fair is cash-only (there’s an ATM on-site if you forget to grab some).

🚘Parking: is free and plentiful, though you may have to prepare yourself for a longer walk to + from the car if the main lots are full. 400 spaces have also been added at the Asheville Regional Airport, with a free shuttle running between the airport + the grounds.

🌎Schedule: Check out every single event happening at this year’s fair (plus a map) here.

🍔Food: The Mountain State Fair has all of the typical fair fare (get it?) you’d expect, including hot dogs + corn dogs, hamburgers, funnel cake, slushies, and – of course – jumbo turkey legs.🦃

It’s all about the rides🎢

DYK: There are 40+ rides (with three new ones this year) as well as games. Here are a few of our faves for adults + kiddos.

🍬Matterhorn | 👀 New this year | Travel up and down hills on a fast coaster track

🍬Tornado | 👀 New this year | A spinning ride that you can shift and control to make yourself (or your friends) go faster or slower

🍬NYC Taxis | 👀 New this year | If bumper cars are more your thing, this ride will transport you to the Big Apple – or at least its traffic

🍬Zoogvogel | 90-ft high swing tower with lots of bright neon colors
🍬Wave Swinger | classic swing ride decorated with Bavarian scenes

🍬Seattle Wheel | The ferris wheel and anchor of the midway. The Drew Exposition has the only Seattle Wheel that travels from fair to fair.

🍬Black Forest | German-themed fun house with moving floors + hidden staircases

🍬Caterpillar | A super adorable kids’ roller coaster

🍬Clown Fish | Whale- and fish-shaped cars go around a circular track

🍬Super Slide | A 90-foot slide for kids + adults

🍬Wild Jungle | A funhouse just for the little ones

But it’s more than just the rides🥕

Meet local agriculture, crafts + cooking competitions

The earliest fairs in the U.S. were originally celebrations of (and competitions around) agriculture, and that’s still a main focus today for our fair. In its 25th year, it’s moving closer to its OG roots with its ag shows + competitions.

Ag contests are judged based on criteria including species identification, perfection, condition + overall superiority. Cooking contests feature local + state-sourced ingredients, including blueberries, tomatoes + seafood. See the full schedule here and check out the map of all of the exhibitor areas.

Heritage Crafts Demonstrations | daily when the fair opens | Virginia Boone Building
Flower competitions | 10 a.m. | Tuesday, Sept. 11 + Monday, Sept. 17 | Expo Center
N.C. Aquaculture Association Cooking Contest | 11 a.m. | Saturday, Sept. 8 | Chevrolet Event Center
N.C. Egg Cooking Contest | 7 p.m. | Tuesday, Sept. 11 | Chevrolet Event Center
N.C. Blueberry Council Cooking Contest | 7 p.m. | Thursday, Sept. 13 | Chevrolet Event Center

🐮Moove over for prize-winning livestock

Checking out the livestock at the fair is probably my favorite thing to do after the rides. There’s a full roster of shows all week long, or you can stop by the animal pens at the McGough Arena to check them out on their nights off. Most shows are at the McGough Covered Area. See the full schedule here.

Swine | 5 p.m. | Thursday, Sept. 13 | Junior + senior market swine shows
Goat | 4 p.m. | Saturday, Sept. 15 |Junior + open shows
Beef cattle | 7 p.m. | Friday, Sept. 7 | District Showmanship Award
Dairy cattle | 10 a.m. | Saturday, Sept. 15 | Open dairy cattle show
Sheep | 10 a.m. | Saturday, Sept. 15 | Open fleece show
Rabbit | 9 a.m. | Saturday, Sept. 8 | F Barn
Poultry | 10 a.m. | Saturday, Sept. 15 | Youth showmanship
Llama | 8 a.m. | Saturday, sept. 8 | E Barn | Exhibitor’s meeting, performance + costuming

🎤Catch a live show

If you’re more into the dazzling (+ occasionally death-defying) side of the fair, you’ll want to check out these special shows. Bonus: You can be a part of the show in the ice cream eating contest on Tuesday, Sept. 11 (register before 6 p.m. that day in the Chevrolet Event Center). See the full schedule here.

Agricadabra | educational, agricultural magic shows from comedian + hypnotist Brad Matchett (3-4 times daily), who will do separate late-night hypnotist shows (1 time daily)
Extreme Illusions | family-friendly illusions + magical escapes with some audience participation (2-3 times daily)
Great Atlanta Puppet Show | Interactive puppet performances 3-4 times daily
Majestik Spectacular | motorcycle stunt performance 2-3 times daily
Gospel Singing Competition | with solo + group performances on Saturday, Sept. 15, at 9 a.m.
Little Miss + Master North Carolina | See who will be crowned on Saturday, Sept. 8 at 11 a.m. in this country-western themed event.

🎵Put on your dancing shoes

The Mountain State Fair is also home to the Mountain Music Fest, which features traditional country + Appalachian live music and dance and includes 43 performances this year. All concerts are included in your admission to the fair. Here are a few of the highlights playing on the Heritage Stage (see the full schedule here). #MustDo: Check out the first ever Mountain Music Fest Jam, held both Sundays of the fest from 2–4:30 p.m. with musicians selected by the organizers + emcees.

Green Valley Cloggers | Friday, Sept. 7 | 6:50 p.m.
Rhiannon and the Relics | Saturday, Sept. 8 | 6 p.m.
Whitewater Bluegrass Band | Monday, Sept. 10 | 7:10 p.m.
Another Country | Tuesday, Sept. 11 | 7:40 p.m.
Buncombe Turnpike | Wednesday, Sept. 12 | 6:50 p.m.
Lynn Goldsmith and the Jeter Mountain Boys | Friday, Sept. 14 | 8:10 p.m.

My favorite part of the fair is definitely the rides. While I love a good roller coaster, my go-tos are always the ferris wheel + the carousel, where I still get really excited about picking out my favorite horse.

But once I’m tired out (which happens these days after, like, 3 rides), I head over to see the animals. Because there’s really nothing cuter than a pygmy goat, right?

What’s your favorite part of the Mountain State Fair? Share your memories with us, and be sure to tag us in all of your fair photos on Instagram this year.

See you on the midway,

– Ali